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The Twisted Tree #1
Splątana opowieść
Czasem wystarczy chwila, by nasze życie zmieniło się o sto osiemdziesiąt stopni…
Tego doświadcza Marta, która po upadku z drzewa przestaje widzieć na jedno oko. Zyskuje jednak pewną moc - po dotknięciu ubrania danego człowieka jest w stanie odczytać jego emocje i wspomnienia. By odkryć tajemnicę swojego talentu, wraca na miejsce wypadku. Tam dowiaduje się, że jej ukochana babcia nie żyje, a w posiadłości pomieszkuje ekscentryczny chłopak. Niezwykłe wydarzenia zmuszają Martę i nieznajomego do opuszczenia chaty, ale poza nią czai się przerażające monstrum… Marta decyduje się zmierzyć z poplątanymi wątkami swojego życia, ale im więcej się dowiaduje, tym trudniej jest jej wydostać się ze spirali wszechogarniającego ją chaosu. Czy uda się jej poznać sekret swojej zdolności?
„Splątana opowieść” to porywająca, mroczna i momentami przerażająca historia, która pokazuje, że prawda, nawet ta pełna najbardziej poplątanych wątków, zawsze wyjdzie na jaw. To trzymająca w napięciu opowieść łącząca współczesną Norwegię z nordycką mitologią, przenosząca czytelnika w świat magii, tajemnic i dawnych wierzeń. Ta historia wciąga od pierwszej strony i na długo pozostawia poczucie niepokoju niczym ciemność czająca się w lesie…
Trigger warnings: alkoholizm, drastyczne sceny, śmierć i przemoc, znęcanie się nad dziećmi, rozwód, poronienie, okultyzm.
Tego doświadcza Marta, która po upadku z drzewa przestaje widzieć na jedno oko. Zyskuje jednak pewną moc - po dotknięciu ubrania danego człowieka jest w stanie odczytać jego emocje i wspomnienia. By odkryć tajemnicę swojego talentu, wraca na miejsce wypadku. Tam dowiaduje się, że jej ukochana babcia nie żyje, a w posiadłości pomieszkuje ekscentryczny chłopak. Niezwykłe wydarzenia zmuszają Martę i nieznajomego do opuszczenia chaty, ale poza nią czai się przerażające monstrum… Marta decyduje się zmierzyć z poplątanymi wątkami swojego życia, ale im więcej się dowiaduje, tym trudniej jest jej wydostać się ze spirali wszechogarniającego ją chaosu. Czy uda się jej poznać sekret swojej zdolności?
„Splątana opowieść” to porywająca, mroczna i momentami przerażająca historia, która pokazuje, że prawda, nawet ta pełna najbardziej poplątanych wątków, zawsze wyjdzie na jaw. To trzymająca w napięciu opowieść łącząca współczesną Norwegię z nordycką mitologią, przenosząca czytelnika w świat magii, tajemnic i dawnych wierzeń. Ta historia wciąga od pierwszej strony i na długo pozostawia poczucie niepokoju niczym ciemność czająca się w lesie…
Trigger warnings: alkoholizm, drastyczne sceny, śmierć i przemoc, znęcanie się nad dziećmi, rozwód, poronienie, okultyzm.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2018
407 people are currently reading
9130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 979 reviews
December 1, 2018
Really creepy, VERY atmospheric book perfect for winter! I felt myself in a remote island in very cold Norway. If you like myhological retellings with all the supernatural elements and interesting characters, this book is for you. Full review coming soon.
January 7, 2021
I really loved the beginning but found the end a little strange. Nonetheless, it's a wonderful story for the late autumn/winter time (The Woman in Black meets Miss Peregrine).
April 8, 2021
A creepy, atmospheric, and yet shallow nordic tale
After Martha falls from a tree and becomes blind in one eye, she starts being able to tell things about people when she touches their clothes. She visits her grandmother in Norway to try to understand her strange new abilities, only to find a strange boy there, and a monstrous creature on the loose.
Ah this had such a great premise! I liked the Norse mythology and the family history,I found that really interesting. I appreciated the strong female characters. I loved the atmospheric setting in a cabin by the woods in rural Norway. The story had some really creepy moments,whete you could feel the isolation, and the threat. But that was about it..
What I wanted:A scary Nordic ghost story.
What I got:A teenager crushing over a stranger who broke into her dead grandmother's house.
I just can't get my head around the ratings for this one! The main character was more concerned about impressing a hot boy than with the monsters, dead people, and on her life being in danger! Oh I must save my grandmother, but first let me kiss him. Oh gosh people have been brutally murdered over there, let me flirt with him etc.
I didn't like the present tense used, the dialogue was stilted and the writing clunky. Too much time was spent in the house, and not enough time on the action scenes.
The insta-love was so cringey and unnecessary, but it's YA so has to have romance right?! Also, the love interest was called Stig, which just made me think of the book, Stig of the dump Every. Single. Time. 😂😂
The secondary characters were two dimensional, and the main character was whiny and unlikeable. She had a great amount of self loathing about her eye, and we were constantly told that she is ugly and hideous because of her injury/disability. My favourite character was Gandalf the dog by a mile!
I know I'm not the target audience, but I love a ya fantasy, and was really looking forward to this! It felt very young ya/middle grade to me, and the writing was very immature.
Unfortunately this book wasn't for me, but luckily it was quite short! I had owned it for a couple of years, so it's a shame it didn't deliver. ❄️❄️
After Martha falls from a tree and becomes blind in one eye, she starts being able to tell things about people when she touches their clothes. She visits her grandmother in Norway to try to understand her strange new abilities, only to find a strange boy there, and a monstrous creature on the loose.
Ah this had such a great premise! I liked the Norse mythology and the family history,I found that really interesting. I appreciated the strong female characters. I loved the atmospheric setting in a cabin by the woods in rural Norway. The story had some really creepy moments,whete you could feel the isolation, and the threat. But that was about it..
What I wanted:A scary Nordic ghost story.
What I got:A teenager crushing over a stranger who broke into her dead grandmother's house.
I just can't get my head around the ratings for this one! The main character was more concerned about impressing a hot boy than with the monsters, dead people, and on her life being in danger! Oh I must save my grandmother, but first let me kiss him. Oh gosh people have been brutally murdered over there, let me flirt with him etc.
I didn't like the present tense used, the dialogue was stilted and the writing clunky. Too much time was spent in the house, and not enough time on the action scenes.
The insta-love was so cringey and unnecessary, but it's YA so has to have romance right?! Also, the love interest was called Stig, which just made me think of the book, Stig of the dump Every. Single. Time. 😂😂
The secondary characters were two dimensional, and the main character was whiny and unlikeable. She had a great amount of self loathing about her eye, and we were constantly told that she is ugly and hideous because of her injury/disability. My favourite character was Gandalf the dog by a mile!
I know I'm not the target audience, but I love a ya fantasy, and was really looking forward to this! It felt very young ya/middle grade to me, and the writing was very immature.
Unfortunately this book wasn't for me, but luckily it was quite short! I had owned it for a couple of years, so it's a shame it didn't deliver. ❄️❄️
December 31, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Teenager Martha has unanswered questions that no-one wants to talk to her about. She was blinded in one eye after falling out of a tree at her Grandmother’s house in Norway. After the event, and a stay in the hospital, her parents rushed her back home, never to see her Grandmother again.
She also wants to know why ever since she was partially blinded she tell things about people by touching their clothes. Fed up with not getting the answers from her mum she sets off to travel to Norway and ask her Grandmother. Unfortunately, when she arrives she discovers her Grandmother is dead and a teenage boy called Stig in her house, which is in the woods.
It soon turns out that something is lurking in the woods, something connected to the twisted tree in the garden. If they are to stay alive the pair will need to rely on each other and Martha’s new skill of being able to see things with her blind eye.
The Twisted Tree is part Thriller, part Mythology and is very exciting and will have you on the edge of your seat. There are some moments which will creep you out and a few that will make you jump.
Martha is a young girl who is very mixed up. She is having a hard time not only being blind in one eye but that her eye is facing the wrong way so people stare at her. She is also having a hard time not understanding why she feels peoples emotions and memories when she touches their clothes. She heads off to Norway to get answers after discovering her mother was getting rid of the letter from her Grandmother.
Upon arrival she finds herself in an even more difficult position in that her Grandmother has recently died, a stranger is in her Grandmother’s house and there is something wild in the woods killing animals and people. Something that even a bullet can’t stop!
The book has so many levels to it. I’ve never really been a lover of mythology but it was weaved into the story perfectly and with ease and the book certainly wouldn’t have worked without it.
This is a book not to be missed. I read it in a couple of sittings as I didn’t want to put it down. Ms. Burge’s writing and her plot had me gripped the whole way through and whilst I love a good thriller even I felt uneasy in places – Just like the author wanted.
Teenager Martha has unanswered questions that no-one wants to talk to her about. She was blinded in one eye after falling out of a tree at her Grandmother’s house in Norway. After the event, and a stay in the hospital, her parents rushed her back home, never to see her Grandmother again.
She also wants to know why ever since she was partially blinded she tell things about people by touching their clothes. Fed up with not getting the answers from her mum she sets off to travel to Norway and ask her Grandmother. Unfortunately, when she arrives she discovers her Grandmother is dead and a teenage boy called Stig in her house, which is in the woods.
It soon turns out that something is lurking in the woods, something connected to the twisted tree in the garden. If they are to stay alive the pair will need to rely on each other and Martha’s new skill of being able to see things with her blind eye.
The Twisted Tree is part Thriller, part Mythology and is very exciting and will have you on the edge of your seat. There are some moments which will creep you out and a few that will make you jump.
Martha is a young girl who is very mixed up. She is having a hard time not only being blind in one eye but that her eye is facing the wrong way so people stare at her. She is also having a hard time not understanding why she feels peoples emotions and memories when she touches their clothes. She heads off to Norway to get answers after discovering her mother was getting rid of the letter from her Grandmother.
Upon arrival she finds herself in an even more difficult position in that her Grandmother has recently died, a stranger is in her Grandmother’s house and there is something wild in the woods killing animals and people. Something that even a bullet can’t stop!
The book has so many levels to it. I’ve never really been a lover of mythology but it was weaved into the story perfectly and with ease and the book certainly wouldn’t have worked without it.
This is a book not to be missed. I read it in a couple of sittings as I didn’t want to put it down. Ms. Burge’s writing and her plot had me gripped the whole way through and whilst I love a good thriller even I felt uneasy in places – Just like the author wanted.
February 16, 2019
‘You will find these voices in your head also.
You will tell yourself how you are a poor victim.
Pay no heed and instead look to your soul, for that is where you originate.
You write the story of you every day with your thoughts, words and deeds.
You create yourself.
You get to decide your story.
No one else.
You.’
A very small mythology novel with 180 pages.
The characters were well explained in details and the world building is great (a creepy atmosphere).
Recommended to the readers who prefer Norse mythology.
You will tell yourself how you are a poor victim.
Pay no heed and instead look to your soul, for that is where you originate.
You write the story of you every day with your thoughts, words and deeds.
You create yourself.
You get to decide your story.
No one else.
You.’
A very small mythology novel with 180 pages.
The characters were well explained in details and the world building is great (a creepy atmosphere).
Recommended to the readers who prefer Norse mythology.
January 8, 2019
This was a book that I was approved for, in exchange for an honest review.
I knew I would love this book when I read the blurb - and OMG it's everything and more!
The story is about a girl called Martha who can tell things about people by touching their clothes. She only has to brush past someone to pick up on their emotions. After an eventful journey to Norway, she finds her beloved grandma, Mormor, is dead, and a weird boy is hiding in her cabin.
Things then start to get spooky ... I won't tell you what happens (because spoilers) but you're in for a great ride!
The descriptions of the cabin were amazing, I felt like I was actually there with Martha and Stig and the wind howling outside. I loved the romance aspect and was really rooting for them to get together.
I read the book in one sitting and literally could not put it down. (I stayed up until 2am and was properly creeped out when I turned off the light!) Even now I find myself keep thinking about the story, as if I’ve left part of myself in the cabin with them.
This book has everything - a great plot with twists you don’t see coming, interesting and well-rounded characters that you care about, beautiful writing. And the Norse myth and Norwegian language made it even more special.
I would give The Twisted Tree more than 5 stars if I could. It's my new favourite book. I just hope there's a sequel!!
I knew I would love this book when I read the blurb - and OMG it's everything and more!
The story is about a girl called Martha who can tell things about people by touching their clothes. She only has to brush past someone to pick up on their emotions. After an eventful journey to Norway, she finds her beloved grandma, Mormor, is dead, and a weird boy is hiding in her cabin.
Things then start to get spooky ... I won't tell you what happens (because spoilers) but you're in for a great ride!
The descriptions of the cabin were amazing, I felt like I was actually there with Martha and Stig and the wind howling outside. I loved the romance aspect and was really rooting for them to get together.
I read the book in one sitting and literally could not put it down. (I stayed up until 2am and was properly creeped out when I turned off the light!) Even now I find myself keep thinking about the story, as if I’ve left part of myself in the cabin with them.
This book has everything - a great plot with twists you don’t see coming, interesting and well-rounded characters that you care about, beautiful writing. And the Norse myth and Norwegian language made it even more special.
I would give The Twisted Tree more than 5 stars if I could. It's my new favourite book. I just hope there's a sequel!!
November 3, 2018
In brief - A very enjoyable YA read. 4.5/5 and happily rounded up.
I feel I should make it clear that I have not been a "YA" for quite a long time. However I have read and reviewed a few YA books over the past few years. The outline of this one appealed to immediately. In part I think this was because of the reference to Neil Gaiman whose books I love generally.
Martha has run away from home in England to visit her Norwegian grandmother. Arriving at her isolated house she discovers that her grandmother has died. However someone else seems to be staying there. It did take me a few pages to get into Martha's character. However after that I romped through this very quickly. The Twisted Tree is in the garden of the house and has been central to the lives of those living there for a very long time. However what exactly is the Twisted Tree?
This was genuinely nicely spooky. The Nordic legends were very well used and explained. The quality of the writing was very good and made for an easy read. I did like the idea of Martha being able to read fabric - that was novel and interesting. Martha with all her emotions and fears makes an excellent character.
I can't really fault this story. It was an enjoyable read. It has interesting characters who are well worked. The pace/tension/spooky ness are very good. My rating of 4.5/5 I am more than happy to round up to 5. I'd like to read this author's next book.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
I feel I should make it clear that I have not been a "YA" for quite a long time. However I have read and reviewed a few YA books over the past few years. The outline of this one appealed to immediately. In part I think this was because of the reference to Neil Gaiman whose books I love generally.
Martha has run away from home in England to visit her Norwegian grandmother. Arriving at her isolated house she discovers that her grandmother has died. However someone else seems to be staying there. It did take me a few pages to get into Martha's character. However after that I romped through this very quickly. The Twisted Tree is in the garden of the house and has been central to the lives of those living there for a very long time. However what exactly is the Twisted Tree?
This was genuinely nicely spooky. The Nordic legends were very well used and explained. The quality of the writing was very good and made for an easy read. I did like the idea of Martha being able to read fabric - that was novel and interesting. Martha with all her emotions and fears makes an excellent character.
I can't really fault this story. It was an enjoyable read. It has interesting characters who are well worked. The pace/tension/spooky ness are very good. My rating of 4.5/5 I am more than happy to round up to 5. I'd like to read this author's next book.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
January 27, 2019
I bought this as an ebook after being drawn to the cover – and I’m so glad I did. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the story, but I absolutely loved it! On the surface, it’s a creepy and tense ghost story - I read late into the night as I just couldn't put it down! It’s fairly short but there’s a real sense of depth to the story, and I feel it's the kind of book that holds an important message. It’s about generations of women, the weight of ancestral heritage, sacrifice, grief and fate.
I loved the character of Martha and felt for her throughout – and her personal journey and growth was so satisfying to read about. I don’t know much about Norse myth, but it’s made me want to find out more. It was beautifully written and so vivid, I felt like I was there in the snows of Norway.
10/10 from me.
I loved the character of Martha and felt for her throughout – and her personal journey and growth was so satisfying to read about. I don’t know much about Norse myth, but it’s made me want to find out more. It was beautifully written and so vivid, I felt like I was there in the snows of Norway.
10/10 from me.
January 15, 2019
5 Words: Secrets, grief, family, mythology, acceptance.
Content warning: Grief, PTSD.
Book Review: The Twisted Tree by Rachel Burge
I had already read the first couple of chapters of this thanks to Readers First, and I was hooked from the start. But when I got further into the story it got very dark, very quickly. And I was blown away.
The Twisted Tree is dark and twisty and chilling and you will definitely need a blanket to hide under to keep yourself warm while you read. The writing is incredibly evocative, and I could see every scene play out as though I was watching it. I was blinded by the fog, by the swirling snow. I felt the elation of mucking around and throwing snow balls. But even thinking back to it now my fingers and toes are cold.
This book is honestly excellently written. I loved the style, I loved the imagery, I loved the Norse mythology woven in. I loved Martha and her insecurities, and I loved Stig and how mysterious he was. I didn't know who to trust and what was real or imagined, and I loved it. I really enjoyed how the setting, how being in such close quarters, accelerated the building relationship between Martha and Stig.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves Norse Mythology, a bit of a thrill, and beautiful writing. It was wonderful. The ebook is out now and the paperback is out on 10th January.
Content warning: Grief, PTSD.
Book Review: The Twisted Tree by Rachel Burge
I had already read the first couple of chapters of this thanks to Readers First, and I was hooked from the start. But when I got further into the story it got very dark, very quickly. And I was blown away.
The Twisted Tree is dark and twisty and chilling and you will definitely need a blanket to hide under to keep yourself warm while you read. The writing is incredibly evocative, and I could see every scene play out as though I was watching it. I was blinded by the fog, by the swirling snow. I felt the elation of mucking around and throwing snow balls. But even thinking back to it now my fingers and toes are cold.
This book is honestly excellently written. I loved the style, I loved the imagery, I loved the Norse mythology woven in. I loved Martha and her insecurities, and I loved Stig and how mysterious he was. I didn't know who to trust and what was real or imagined, and I loved it. I really enjoyed how the setting, how being in such close quarters, accelerated the building relationship between Martha and Stig.
I would recommend this to anyone who loves Norse Mythology, a bit of a thrill, and beautiful writing. It was wonderful. The ebook is out now and the paperback is out on 10th January.
September 24, 2018
I just checked the page count for this book (304) but it really felt much, much shorter than that. I raced through this book in one sitting and didn't so much read it as inhale it.
It is a strange mixture of mythologies - you have the Three Fates from Greek/Roman myth contrasted with Odin, Hel and the fearsome Draugr from Nordic myth. This led me to some minor mind wanderings whilst reading - having recently watched Thor:Ragnarok I couldn't help but see Cate Blanchett as Hel and Anthony Hopkins as Odin couple that with trying to remember the Greek Names for the fates (Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos) via Stephen King's book Insomnia I did have a lot of mental distraction.
Fortunately, the tale is swift moving and sucks you in to that claustrophobic cabin in Skejbne. The setting is so evocative you can feel the darkness of winter and the swirl of the snow accompanied by the skirl of the wind and the bone chilling howl of the draugr. The plot is excitingly supernatural and woven in such a way that it appears almost plausible, not once did I feel like there was a leap of faith taken that did not fit with the characters of Martha and Stig and their situation. Yes, it could have been Cabin Fever but somehow I don't think any of it was a hallucination.
The characters are wonderfully written and have wonderfully complex layers to them. Martha with her newly found talent for "reading" clothing and struggling to come to terms with her facial deformity that seems to have led to the ability forming. Stig, running from an unhappy home life and battling with a burgeoning addiction to alcohol (judging from the amount of Brandy he seems to drink). Both of them brought together by the shared grief of losing a family member - Martha's Mormor and Stig's father.
This is a Hot Key Books publication which means it is aimed at a Young Adult (I loathe that term SO much) audience. However, do not be misled this a creepy and tense novel that will give an inordinate amount of pleasure to anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned tale of the supernatural. It has everything - ghosts, demons, ancient Gods and a promise made a millennia ago that cannot be broken - DELICIOUS!
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
It is a strange mixture of mythologies - you have the Three Fates from Greek/Roman myth contrasted with Odin, Hel and the fearsome Draugr from Nordic myth. This led me to some minor mind wanderings whilst reading - having recently watched Thor:Ragnarok I couldn't help but see Cate Blanchett as Hel and Anthony Hopkins as Odin couple that with trying to remember the Greek Names for the fates (Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos) via Stephen King's book Insomnia I did have a lot of mental distraction.
Fortunately, the tale is swift moving and sucks you in to that claustrophobic cabin in Skejbne. The setting is so evocative you can feel the darkness of winter and the swirl of the snow accompanied by the skirl of the wind and the bone chilling howl of the draugr. The plot is excitingly supernatural and woven in such a way that it appears almost plausible, not once did I feel like there was a leap of faith taken that did not fit with the characters of Martha and Stig and their situation. Yes, it could have been Cabin Fever but somehow I don't think any of it was a hallucination.
The characters are wonderfully written and have wonderfully complex layers to them. Martha with her newly found talent for "reading" clothing and struggling to come to terms with her facial deformity that seems to have led to the ability forming. Stig, running from an unhappy home life and battling with a burgeoning addiction to alcohol (judging from the amount of Brandy he seems to drink). Both of them brought together by the shared grief of losing a family member - Martha's Mormor and Stig's father.
This is a Hot Key Books publication which means it is aimed at a Young Adult (I loathe that term SO much) audience. However, do not be misled this a creepy and tense novel that will give an inordinate amount of pleasure to anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned tale of the supernatural. It has everything - ghosts, demons, ancient Gods and a promise made a millennia ago that cannot be broken - DELICIOUS!
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
October 14, 2018
This book man. THIS. BOOK.
Firstly- I received this book via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
This is the easiest five stars I've given for ages. There is so much to love about this book. So much. Oh and this is absolutely chock full of spoilers so...yeah if you are gonna read this book, which you definitely should, perhaps don't read this. Here's some spoiler free points for you as to why you should read this book: it is full of strong female characters, Norse mythology and magic; there is a lovely slow burn romance with an uncertain outcome; not everything is as it seems and the creep factor is strong with this one, especially the main big bad. Perfect.
When I decided to read only spooky books for October, this is the kind of book I was after.
"You write the story of you every day with your thoughts, words and deeds. You create yourself. You get to decide your story. No one else. You."
I loved the Norse mythology used as a basis for this story. It's so rich, with so many creepy possibilities but also this strong sense of family loyalty that seems to have bound generations of Martha's family to hold their ancestors agreement.
I just loved the strong female characters in this book. All of Martha's ancestors have looked after the tree to guard the world of the dead and stop things like the Draugr walking our earth. They have done this since Odin hung from the tree to gain wisdom from the Well of Urd. They have all been women and all of them have had the ability to read clothing, to see people's thoughts, feelings, motives and dreams. It's just such a magical concept and I love it.
Martha is one of my all time favourite heroines. She is so strong and yet so full of self loathing and doubt. She is beautiful and scarred. She is dealing with so much: her accident, her mum's betrayal, the death of her grandmother, the sudden onset of her abilities and then everything that happens once she gets to Norway. But she is incredible. She takes it all in, and yes she is sceptical and it takes her some time to come to terms with it but damn does she pull through. She absolutely owns her ability and her legacy. I just love her, I love everything about her.
Even Martha's mum is strong. She thought she was going crazy. Can you imagine how you would cope with that? She had visions that she could only work through by painting terrifying pictures, doctors told her it was because of what her mother had told her when she was growing up, she wanted to protect her daughter...what would you do? Probably the exact same if we're honest. Because you do anything to protect your kids. Even though she knew Martha might hate her, even though she had terrifying visions, when she realised Martha might be in danger so was straight on a plane to be with her and protect her as best she could.
Plus we get to meet Hel and she was bloody awesome. Oh and the Norns, the three women that weave fate...perfect. Just perfect. Oh and Ysra, this powerful, strong, bear like woman that I would have loved to see more of. She had so much presence in her scenes and I was so sad when her and her husband, Olav, were killed.
Also, amongst all these amazing female characters we have Stig. I adored Stig even though by the end I had no idea if he was who he said he was or not. I want to know so much more about him. Just one of the reasons I would love a sequel. I think one of the main things I like about Stig is that he isn't your average love interest, just like Martha isn't your average heroine. He's good looking but in his own way, he takes everything that is thrown at them and even though he struggles with it, he always helps Martha and wants to protect her. He marches into a snowstorm to help her even though he is scared. That's courage. But also...I mean did he do something to Nina? If that was her ghost, did she follow him there? Why? Does she blame him? Why? I need to know!!! I also want to know what happens next between him and Martha. Can she trust him? I don't know but I want there to be a future for them somewhere.
I really hope that Martha and her mum do end up moving to Norway. I think it's what's best for them and they will be able to look after the tree and fix their relationship at the same time.
Damn, I really want a second book. This review is just so much gushing but honestly, I loved it.
Ten out of ten would reccomend.
Firstly- I received this book via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
This is the easiest five stars I've given for ages. There is so much to love about this book. So much. Oh and this is absolutely chock full of spoilers so...yeah if you are gonna read this book, which you definitely should, perhaps don't read this. Here's some spoiler free points for you as to why you should read this book: it is full of strong female characters, Norse mythology and magic; there is a lovely slow burn romance with an uncertain outcome; not everything is as it seems and the creep factor is strong with this one, especially the main big bad. Perfect.
When I decided to read only spooky books for October, this is the kind of book I was after.
"You write the story of you every day with your thoughts, words and deeds. You create yourself. You get to decide your story. No one else. You."
I loved the Norse mythology used as a basis for this story. It's so rich, with so many creepy possibilities but also this strong sense of family loyalty that seems to have bound generations of Martha's family to hold their ancestors agreement.
I just loved the strong female characters in this book. All of Martha's ancestors have looked after the tree to guard the world of the dead and stop things like the Draugr walking our earth. They have done this since Odin hung from the tree to gain wisdom from the Well of Urd. They have all been women and all of them have had the ability to read clothing, to see people's thoughts, feelings, motives and dreams. It's just such a magical concept and I love it.
Martha is one of my all time favourite heroines. She is so strong and yet so full of self loathing and doubt. She is beautiful and scarred. She is dealing with so much: her accident, her mum's betrayal, the death of her grandmother, the sudden onset of her abilities and then everything that happens once she gets to Norway. But she is incredible. She takes it all in, and yes she is sceptical and it takes her some time to come to terms with it but damn does she pull through. She absolutely owns her ability and her legacy. I just love her, I love everything about her.
Even Martha's mum is strong. She thought she was going crazy. Can you imagine how you would cope with that? She had visions that she could only work through by painting terrifying pictures, doctors told her it was because of what her mother had told her when she was growing up, she wanted to protect her daughter...what would you do? Probably the exact same if we're honest. Because you do anything to protect your kids. Even though she knew Martha might hate her, even though she had terrifying visions, when she realised Martha might be in danger so was straight on a plane to be with her and protect her as best she could.
Plus we get to meet Hel and she was bloody awesome. Oh and the Norns, the three women that weave fate...perfect. Just perfect. Oh and Ysra, this powerful, strong, bear like woman that I would have loved to see more of. She had so much presence in her scenes and I was so sad when her and her husband, Olav, were killed.
Also, amongst all these amazing female characters we have Stig. I adored Stig even though by the end I had no idea if he was who he said he was or not. I want to know so much more about him. Just one of the reasons I would love a sequel. I think one of the main things I like about Stig is that he isn't your average love interest, just like Martha isn't your average heroine. He's good looking but in his own way, he takes everything that is thrown at them and even though he struggles with it, he always helps Martha and wants to protect her. He marches into a snowstorm to help her even though he is scared. That's courage. But also...I mean did he do something to Nina? If that was her ghost, did she follow him there? Why? Does she blame him? Why? I need to know!!! I also want to know what happens next between him and Martha. Can she trust him? I don't know but I want there to be a future for them somewhere.
I really hope that Martha and her mum do end up moving to Norway. I think it's what's best for them and they will be able to look after the tree and fix their relationship at the same time.
Damn, I really want a second book. This review is just so much gushing but honestly, I loved it.
Ten out of ten would reccomend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2018
Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase
Trigger Warning: This book features possible ableism, gory violence, and animal cruelty.
The Twisted Tree by Rachel Burge sounded incredible, but while it had a number of intriguing elements, it was a huge let down.
Four months ago, Martha fell from a tree in her grandmother, Mormor's garden in Norway. The fall left her scarred and blind in one eye, and ever since, whenever she touches people clothes, she has access to their feelings and their memories. Desperate to know what's going on, she has written to her Mormor for answers, without any response. When she realises that Mormor has been replying, but her mother has been burning the letters, Martha decides to fly to Norway to speak to her Mormor. Only, when she arrives, she discovers her Mormor has died and been buried, and a strange boy is living in her house. There's something strange out in the woods that her Mormor's neighbours warn her of with unusual fear - and also that her Mormor wanted the twisted tree in the garden watered from the well. When strange things start happening around the house - a spinning wheel spinning, a rag doll twitching, books appearing, and dark shadows moving - Martha starts to suspect that the unwatered twisted tree is at the heart of it all.
The premise of The Twisted Tree had a lot of promise and is quite intriguing, but it was just handled badly. The writing is a major issue; instead of flowing, conversation between Martha and the strange boy, Stig, as well as Martha's narration, jumps from on thing to another in a matter of seconds. Sure, conversation topics change as you talk, but not so quickly, and not when the original topic is about the strange and scary things that are happening. I'm sorry, but if there are weird shadows that are moving in your house, and faces showing up in the mirror, you're not going to be trying think through what could possibly be happening, then, within a matter of seconds, wonder whether this strange guy might fancy you, because you fancy him, followed by a barrage of self-loathing over the way you look. Not when there's something howling outside your house, and dolls are moving, and thumping is coming from the wardrobe! The writing was just really clunky and all over the place.
It was also really difficult to feel anything about the story. The tone and atmosphere was all off. I was never scared or on the edge of my seat. There's no building of tension. I never really felt Martha's emotions, I was just told about them. There was zero chemistry between Martha and Stig, so it was an unbelievable romance, and it was unrealistic, to me, that Martha would fall so quickly for some strange boy who has been living in her Mormor's house, eating her food, and, for all she knows, could have killed her Mormor! I didn't feel anything throughout the story, not felt anything for the characters. It just wasn't written well enough, in my opinion.
And then there's the plot itself. As I said, there were elements to it that were pretty intriguing, but they just weren't developed enough. So there's more to this twisted tree in the garden that meets the eye. Ok, fine. But why? There's a link to Norse mythology, which was really fascinating, but it's just surface level stuff, and if you don't know Norse mythology, like me, then you'll be left with even more questions starting with "why?" And other questions like, what is the creature in the woods? Ok, it's X, but what is that? What does it mean? How and why did Mormor die? Because she seemed to know she would die, but there's no explanation as to why, or what happened. Why Martha's family, specifically? And what happened before they were given this task? There were just so many things that were underdeveloped, world building that wasn't fleshed out enough. I have read a lot of fantasy, and so I'm used to in depth explanations and world building that has an answer to every possible question. It feels to me that Burge didn't put enough effort into fleshing out her world building, and so I feel a little cheated.
Also, I was really uncomfortable with how Martha being blind in one eye was handled. Martha falling out of the tree and becoming blind in one eye was her destiny, and there's a purpose behind her half-blindness. Being half-blind is a tool that will help her (again, not fully explained to my satisfaction). It just doesn't seem right to me to purposely decide a character will be half-blind, she'll be half-blind for a reason, and there's something "magical" about her being half-blind. It just feels really insensitive to me, using people's disability as a magical means to an end. Martha isn't half-blind for purposes of representation or diversity, she's half-blind because it helps the plot.
And on top of that, Martha is constantly putting herself down because of her appearance, and she is scathing. She has a scar that runs from above her left eye downwards into her cheek, and her eye is cloudy white and looks off in strange directions. And the venom with which Martha thinks about herself! Yes, this is dealt with to a certain extent towards the end of the book, but you still have to go through the majority of the book with Martha talking about how ugly she is and how no-one will fancy her because she's "damaged". Which is just so insensitive, I feel, to any blind people reading. She's not just lacking self-confidence and has low self-esteem, she is vile in the way she talks about herself. It just felt really problematic and probably hurtful to those who are blind. And when she discovers that Stig has previously liked girls who are goths, she thinks she might possibly be in with a chance, because he likes girls who are "different". It felt a lot like the "not like other girls" trope, but also... I don't know, almost like she's putting goth girls down? Because she's so vile about her own appearance, but he might like her even so, because he likes them? It just all felt really wrong and uncomfortable to me.
The Twisted Tree was just a real disappointment for me, and I didn't really enjoy it on any level. However, there are a number of people who have really enjoyed it, so do read some other reviews before deciding whether or not to read it.
Thank you to Hot Key Books via NetGalley for the eProof.
Trigger Warning: This book features possible ableism, gory violence, and animal cruelty.
The Twisted Tree by Rachel Burge sounded incredible, but while it had a number of intriguing elements, it was a huge let down.
Four months ago, Martha fell from a tree in her grandmother, Mormor's garden in Norway. The fall left her scarred and blind in one eye, and ever since, whenever she touches people clothes, she has access to their feelings and their memories. Desperate to know what's going on, she has written to her Mormor for answers, without any response. When she realises that Mormor has been replying, but her mother has been burning the letters, Martha decides to fly to Norway to speak to her Mormor. Only, when she arrives, she discovers her Mormor has died and been buried, and a strange boy is living in her house. There's something strange out in the woods that her Mormor's neighbours warn her of with unusual fear - and also that her Mormor wanted the twisted tree in the garden watered from the well. When strange things start happening around the house - a spinning wheel spinning, a rag doll twitching, books appearing, and dark shadows moving - Martha starts to suspect that the unwatered twisted tree is at the heart of it all.
The premise of The Twisted Tree had a lot of promise and is quite intriguing, but it was just handled badly. The writing is a major issue; instead of flowing, conversation between Martha and the strange boy, Stig, as well as Martha's narration, jumps from on thing to another in a matter of seconds. Sure, conversation topics change as you talk, but not so quickly, and not when the original topic is about the strange and scary things that are happening. I'm sorry, but if there are weird shadows that are moving in your house, and faces showing up in the mirror, you're not going to be trying think through what could possibly be happening, then, within a matter of seconds, wonder whether this strange guy might fancy you, because you fancy him, followed by a barrage of self-loathing over the way you look. Not when there's something howling outside your house, and dolls are moving, and thumping is coming from the wardrobe! The writing was just really clunky and all over the place.
It was also really difficult to feel anything about the story. The tone and atmosphere was all off. I was never scared or on the edge of my seat. There's no building of tension. I never really felt Martha's emotions, I was just told about them. There was zero chemistry between Martha and Stig, so it was an unbelievable romance, and it was unrealistic, to me, that Martha would fall so quickly for some strange boy who has been living in her Mormor's house, eating her food, and, for all she knows, could have killed her Mormor! I didn't feel anything throughout the story, not felt anything for the characters. It just wasn't written well enough, in my opinion.
And then there's the plot itself. As I said, there were elements to it that were pretty intriguing, but they just weren't developed enough. So there's more to this twisted tree in the garden that meets the eye. Ok, fine. But why? There's a link to Norse mythology, which was really fascinating, but it's just surface level stuff, and if you don't know Norse mythology, like me, then you'll be left with even more questions starting with "why?" And other questions like, what is the creature in the woods? Ok, it's X, but what is that? What does it mean? How and why did Mormor die? Because she seemed to know she would die, but there's no explanation as to why, or what happened. Why Martha's family, specifically? And what happened before they were given this task? There were just so many things that were underdeveloped, world building that wasn't fleshed out enough. I have read a lot of fantasy, and so I'm used to in depth explanations and world building that has an answer to every possible question. It feels to me that Burge didn't put enough effort into fleshing out her world building, and so I feel a little cheated.
Also, I was really uncomfortable with how Martha being blind in one eye was handled. Martha falling out of the tree and becoming blind in one eye was her destiny, and there's a purpose behind her half-blindness. Being half-blind is a tool that will help her (again, not fully explained to my satisfaction). It just doesn't seem right to me to purposely decide a character will be half-blind, she'll be half-blind for a reason, and there's something "magical" about her being half-blind. It just feels really insensitive to me, using people's disability as a magical means to an end. Martha isn't half-blind for purposes of representation or diversity, she's half-blind because it helps the plot.
And on top of that, Martha is constantly putting herself down because of her appearance, and she is scathing. She has a scar that runs from above her left eye downwards into her cheek, and her eye is cloudy white and looks off in strange directions. And the venom with which Martha thinks about herself! Yes, this is dealt with to a certain extent towards the end of the book, but you still have to go through the majority of the book with Martha talking about how ugly she is and how no-one will fancy her because she's "damaged". Which is just so insensitive, I feel, to any blind people reading. She's not just lacking self-confidence and has low self-esteem, she is vile in the way she talks about herself. It just felt really problematic and probably hurtful to those who are blind. And when she discovers that Stig has previously liked girls who are goths, she thinks she might possibly be in with a chance, because he likes girls who are "different". It felt a lot like the "not like other girls" trope, but also... I don't know, almost like she's putting goth girls down? Because she's so vile about her own appearance, but he might like her even so, because he likes them? It just all felt really wrong and uncomfortable to me.
The Twisted Tree was just a real disappointment for me, and I didn't really enjoy it on any level. However, there are a number of people who have really enjoyed it, so do read some other reviews before deciding whether or not to read it.
Thank you to Hot Key Books via NetGalley for the eProof.
October 1, 2018
I loved this book from the moment I started to read it. The setting is seriously atmospheric: two teenagers, stranded in a cabin, on the edge of a forest, in the snowy Norwegian country side. The story is steeped in Nordic folklore and is both a ghost story and a love story. The author strikes the perfect balance between hygge and horror and there are some ferociously scary twists and turns. A brilliant read for cold winter nights.
October 15, 2018
I bought this book after seeing the cover on my Facebook feed. I'm a big book cover fanatic and I just love abstract covers. This one is so beautiful and I'm so delighted to be able to say that the story matched it perfectly. This spooky, grim, story is dark and twisted with just the right amount of angst for a YA novel.
We begin by meeting Martha as she travels to visit her grandmother. Martha is blind in one eye after a terrible accident involving the tree at her grandmother's house. When Martha arrives at her Grandmother's she discovers a strange boy inside and that her grandmother has died.
Martha has a rather strange ability which awakened after her accident and she has gone to her grandmother for answers.
I don't want to spoil the book and give things away as this is a great tale that is worth reading. It's dark and creepy and with the story mainly revolving around Martha and Stig, the author brings you right into the thick of things with dark shadows a disturbing creature that seeks to destroy them, flesh hanging from bones, razor sharp claws, and a tree that houses the souls of the dead.
The tree needs to be watered and the souls need to be kept safe, and the monster needs to be killed. This tense and gripping story has it all and at just the right amounts too. I enjoyed the flow of the books, the characters, and the interweaving of Norwegian. The old folklore is wonderful too. I wanted to know what the mystery was surrounding the tree and Martha and her grandmother the whole way through the book and I certainly wasn't disappointed.
Released as a YA book, I think it definitely hits the target audience and the romantic tension between Martha and Stig is very well done.
All in all, another 5 star read from me and I look forward to reading more for this debut author.
We begin by meeting Martha as she travels to visit her grandmother. Martha is blind in one eye after a terrible accident involving the tree at her grandmother's house. When Martha arrives at her Grandmother's she discovers a strange boy inside and that her grandmother has died.
Martha has a rather strange ability which awakened after her accident and she has gone to her grandmother for answers.
I don't want to spoil the book and give things away as this is a great tale that is worth reading. It's dark and creepy and with the story mainly revolving around Martha and Stig, the author brings you right into the thick of things with dark shadows a disturbing creature that seeks to destroy them, flesh hanging from bones, razor sharp claws, and a tree that houses the souls of the dead.
The tree needs to be watered and the souls need to be kept safe, and the monster needs to be killed. This tense and gripping story has it all and at just the right amounts too. I enjoyed the flow of the books, the characters, and the interweaving of Norwegian. The old folklore is wonderful too. I wanted to know what the mystery was surrounding the tree and Martha and her grandmother the whole way through the book and I certainly wasn't disappointed.
Released as a YA book, I think it definitely hits the target audience and the romantic tension between Martha and Stig is very well done.
All in all, another 5 star read from me and I look forward to reading more for this debut author.
December 8, 2018
Ummm.. WHAT DID I JUST READ???
Another amazing book and will def become one of my favourites! I need a movie adaptation for this one!
I have been looking for a YA book that sets in Norway that is written in English, since my Norwegian is not advance yet. Then I came across this book, and have to request the ARC. Then I got it and I’m truly truly happy! Thank you so much to the author & publisher for sending me this book.
THE TWISTED TREE..... how do I begin!
It sets in Norway, in a cabin in the woods, where the cold season arrives. It’s a story about a girl name Martha, who have an ability to tell a person through their piece of clothes. It involves ghosts, creepy creatures, and a twisted tree. There’s a little romance which honestly make the whole story even better.
This book is well written and well thought. Every characters, stories, the pace, the setting, and every detail are carefully weaved and knitted into one wonderful and magical story. I love this book SO MUCH! It gripped me from the very beginning and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.
There are some scenes that is way too creepy it gives me a goosebumps and made my heartbeat race!! Like I didn’t know that it would be that creepy?!!!!
All I can say is..... I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! And I hope there’s a sequel, and I hope that Rachel will write more books like this!!!!
Another amazing book and will def become one of my favourites! I need a movie adaptation for this one!
I have been looking for a YA book that sets in Norway that is written in English, since my Norwegian is not advance yet. Then I came across this book, and have to request the ARC. Then I got it and I’m truly truly happy! Thank you so much to the author & publisher for sending me this book.
THE TWISTED TREE..... how do I begin!
It sets in Norway, in a cabin in the woods, where the cold season arrives. It’s a story about a girl name Martha, who have an ability to tell a person through their piece of clothes. It involves ghosts, creepy creatures, and a twisted tree. There’s a little romance which honestly make the whole story even better.
This book is well written and well thought. Every characters, stories, the pace, the setting, and every detail are carefully weaved and knitted into one wonderful and magical story. I love this book SO MUCH! It gripped me from the very beginning and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.
There are some scenes that is way too creepy it gives me a goosebumps and made my heartbeat race!! Like I didn’t know that it would be that creepy?!!!!
All I can say is..... I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! And I hope there’s a sequel, and I hope that Rachel will write more books like this!!!!
August 27, 2018
This is catogorised as a "Teens and Young Adult" book so I'm certainly not part of the intended demographic but nevertheless as someone who enjoys a well written spooky tale I must admit that I found this a most enjoyable read. Combining such diverse themes as romance, disability, Nordic mythology, ghosts, monsters and broken families the story ultimately is about redemption and coming to terms with the past and who you are.
The story begins with Martha, a young adolescent girl who has deceived her parents and is now rushing through the airport on her way to a remote Norwegian island where her grandmother lives. We quickly learn two key things about Martha that are central to the story, firstly she has been disfigured and blinded in one eye due to an accident which appears to have occurred at her grandmother's and secondly that as a result of this accident she is now in possession of some kind of supernatural power that enables her to read a person's memories and what emotions they feel by touching their clothing. When arriving at her grandmother's isolated cabin location she discovers that it is now inhabited by a rather strange boy who like her appears to have run away and is also search for something.
The story basing itself on Nordic Mythology and with enough chilling moments will I think entertain most readers and can be comfortably completed in one or two sittings. At its heart this is essentially a rather quirky love story between two rather troubled young people but the somewhat enigmatic ending leaves open the possibility of a further story. I especially liked how the tension was built up and the supernatural element at the cabin was slowly introduced. As the book progresses to its conclusion it become increasingly fantastical which is fine but perhaps I would have preferred a more psychological and enigmatic telling of the tale. Nevertheless the writing is descriptive and the plot line thought out and I'm sure it will appeal to its targeted audience.
The story begins with Martha, a young adolescent girl who has deceived her parents and is now rushing through the airport on her way to a remote Norwegian island where her grandmother lives. We quickly learn two key things about Martha that are central to the story, firstly she has been disfigured and blinded in one eye due to an accident which appears to have occurred at her grandmother's and secondly that as a result of this accident she is now in possession of some kind of supernatural power that enables her to read a person's memories and what emotions they feel by touching their clothing. When arriving at her grandmother's isolated cabin location she discovers that it is now inhabited by a rather strange boy who like her appears to have run away and is also search for something.
The story basing itself on Nordic Mythology and with enough chilling moments will I think entertain most readers and can be comfortably completed in one or two sittings. At its heart this is essentially a rather quirky love story between two rather troubled young people but the somewhat enigmatic ending leaves open the possibility of a further story. I especially liked how the tension was built up and the supernatural element at the cabin was slowly introduced. As the book progresses to its conclusion it become increasingly fantastical which is fine but perhaps I would have preferred a more psychological and enigmatic telling of the tale. Nevertheless the writing is descriptive and the plot line thought out and I'm sure it will appeal to its targeted audience.
September 4, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley, Bonnie Zaffre and Rachel Burge for my arc of The Twisted Tree.
Martha feels more than a little out of place since she lost her eyesight in one eye after falling from a tree in her grandmother's garden. Ever since it happened, Martha has been able to read people's thoughts, emotions and memories just by touching their clothes. Determined to find out the truth and not getting any answers from her mother. Martha concocts a story about where she'll be and catches a flight back to Norway to visit her grandmother.
But when Martha arrives, she is devastated to discover her grandmother is dead and a strange boy has taken up residence in her cabin. Oh yeah and there's some big scary creature on the loose and it seems Martha is the key to putting everything right again. Trapped in the money cottage as the snow begins to fall, Martha must face her fears and save the day. Or rather the world.
This was a wonderful and relatively short fantasy/reality story. Martha was a great heroine and I loved the combination of fantasy, Norse mythology, creepiness and romance. That doesn't sound like it would work but it really did!
I really enjoyed this and I'm hoping there's going to be a sequel after some questions were left unanswered in the end!
Martha feels more than a little out of place since she lost her eyesight in one eye after falling from a tree in her grandmother's garden. Ever since it happened, Martha has been able to read people's thoughts, emotions and memories just by touching their clothes. Determined to find out the truth and not getting any answers from her mother. Martha concocts a story about where she'll be and catches a flight back to Norway to visit her grandmother.
But when Martha arrives, she is devastated to discover her grandmother is dead and a strange boy has taken up residence in her cabin. Oh yeah and there's some big scary creature on the loose and it seems Martha is the key to putting everything right again. Trapped in the money cottage as the snow begins to fall, Martha must face her fears and save the day. Or rather the world.
This was a wonderful and relatively short fantasy/reality story. Martha was a great heroine and I loved the combination of fantasy, Norse mythology, creepiness and romance. That doesn't sound like it would work but it really did!
I really enjoyed this and I'm hoping there's going to be a sequel after some questions were left unanswered in the end!
October 31, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a wonderfully creepy little book, perfect for this time of year. The Twisted Tree tells the story of Martha, a girl who can feel people’s memories when she touches their clothing, as she returns to Norway after growing concerned for her grandmother’s safety. What follows is a story steeped in Norse mythology, tentative friendships and one incredibly scary monster lurking in the woods.
Martha is a great character. Her ability to see people’s secrets just by touching others clothes is such a unique concept, and one that has come with a price. She’s blind in one eye, scarred for life following an incident at the twisted tree in her grandmother’s back garden. And this incident has perhaps scarred Martha more than she initially lets on. She’s guarded, closed off from her parents and the one friend she has back in London, and unwilling to interact with people. She also sees herself as hideous, a monster, who no one could ever love - let alone like. It’s this vulnerability that really drew me to Martha, and made me really feel for her.
Stig is also an interesting character. From his sudden appearance and very shady, secretive background, to his hidden feelings of jealousy and self hatred - he mirrors a lot of Martha’s personality while also being a different kind of closed off. When the two characters are together, they perfectly mirror each other’s growing confusion and anxiousness to create a wonderfully creepy atmosphere. They bounce off each other on such a level that their tentative friendship feels comfortable and develops perfectly over time. Their feelings for each other are subtle, and enhance the story rather than overpowering it. They both need each other for different reasons.
It’s the atmospheric feel of the book that really gives this an edge, that builds into a frenzied crescendo right until the end. Most of the book is played out within Martha’s grandma’s cabin, and the feelings of claustrophobia and anxiety roll off the pages as we find both Stig and Martha struggling to cope with what lies in wait for them outside, and in. The vast emptiness of outside crowding in, almost as if the environment and the twisted tree are a living being, coupled with the fleeting hints of terror from ghosts, whispers on the winds, and one very tense excursion into the woods all made me feel incredibly creeped out. I loved it.
The only reason for not giving this 5 stars? I felt there was a lot of unfinished business with Stig. At the end of the novel I had more questions than answers with regards to his past and personality and I felt more could have been done to tie up these loose ends.
This is an impressive debut, that’s perfectly suited to those that enjoy the creepy and atmospheric mingled with a unique magical concept steeped in mythology. I couldn’t put it down, and I eagerly await what the author has next to offer. Highly recommend.
What a wonderfully creepy little book, perfect for this time of year. The Twisted Tree tells the story of Martha, a girl who can feel people’s memories when she touches their clothing, as she returns to Norway after growing concerned for her grandmother’s safety. What follows is a story steeped in Norse mythology, tentative friendships and one incredibly scary monster lurking in the woods.
Martha is a great character. Her ability to see people’s secrets just by touching others clothes is such a unique concept, and one that has come with a price. She’s blind in one eye, scarred for life following an incident at the twisted tree in her grandmother’s back garden. And this incident has perhaps scarred Martha more than she initially lets on. She’s guarded, closed off from her parents and the one friend she has back in London, and unwilling to interact with people. She also sees herself as hideous, a monster, who no one could ever love - let alone like. It’s this vulnerability that really drew me to Martha, and made me really feel for her.
Stig is also an interesting character. From his sudden appearance and very shady, secretive background, to his hidden feelings of jealousy and self hatred - he mirrors a lot of Martha’s personality while also being a different kind of closed off. When the two characters are together, they perfectly mirror each other’s growing confusion and anxiousness to create a wonderfully creepy atmosphere. They bounce off each other on such a level that their tentative friendship feels comfortable and develops perfectly over time. Their feelings for each other are subtle, and enhance the story rather than overpowering it. They both need each other for different reasons.
It’s the atmospheric feel of the book that really gives this an edge, that builds into a frenzied crescendo right until the end. Most of the book is played out within Martha’s grandma’s cabin, and the feelings of claustrophobia and anxiety roll off the pages as we find both Stig and Martha struggling to cope with what lies in wait for them outside, and in. The vast emptiness of outside crowding in, almost as if the environment and the twisted tree are a living being, coupled with the fleeting hints of terror from ghosts, whispers on the winds, and one very tense excursion into the woods all made me feel incredibly creeped out. I loved it.
The only reason for not giving this 5 stars? I felt there was a lot of unfinished business with Stig. At the end of the novel I had more questions than answers with regards to his past and personality and I felt more could have been done to tie up these loose ends.
This is an impressive debut, that’s perfectly suited to those that enjoy the creepy and atmospheric mingled with a unique magical concept steeped in mythology. I couldn’t put it down, and I eagerly await what the author has next to offer. Highly recommend.
March 27, 2019
I received a free ebook version of this from Netgalley. Thankyou to both the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this. My review is still honest!
I have mixed feelings about this one. It's impressive for a debut novel, and something different, but it does have it's issues. I'm not actually going to provide a synopsis for this one as 1. It's a complex little book to summarise, and 2.I think this works way better with no prior knowledge, but in short, it's a YA horror/fantasy/thriller/paranormal set in remote Norway with a mysterious family history and a really creepy old tree.
I think where this book really excels is in the creepy elements. Burge really has a gift for atmosphere and creating a scene which you can visualise so fully. I would love to see a pure horror novel from her actually, as few authors can scare and give me chills as much as this one did. I liked the incorporation of mythology, particularly aspects that I hadn't seen included in a book before. I enjoyed the character development that the main character went through, as she learned to be happy with herself, and I liked that a romance wasn't the reason that she did so. It was a cute little romance too, with a different love interest. I think that's overall what I can say about this-it was different. It's a YA book that feels set apart from a lot of the ones I've read lately.
On a negative note, I think that this book could have been more engaging. It was a little hard to get into, and I only actually finished this on my second attempt. These issues did diminish as the book went on, but it was a slow beginning for such a short book. I was also disappointed that right at the very end, we're talking 95% in, some plot twists were thrown in and weren't resolved by the end, with no sequel being confirmed. It felt unnecessary and inconsistent.
On the whole though, I'm impressed with this for a debut author and will check out more of Burge's work.
I have mixed feelings about this one. It's impressive for a debut novel, and something different, but it does have it's issues. I'm not actually going to provide a synopsis for this one as 1. It's a complex little book to summarise, and 2.I think this works way better with no prior knowledge, but in short, it's a YA horror/fantasy/thriller/paranormal set in remote Norway with a mysterious family history and a really creepy old tree.
I think where this book really excels is in the creepy elements. Burge really has a gift for atmosphere and creating a scene which you can visualise so fully. I would love to see a pure horror novel from her actually, as few authors can scare and give me chills as much as this one did. I liked the incorporation of mythology, particularly aspects that I hadn't seen included in a book before. I enjoyed the character development that the main character went through, as she learned to be happy with herself, and I liked that a romance wasn't the reason that she did so. It was a cute little romance too, with a different love interest. I think that's overall what I can say about this-it was different. It's a YA book that feels set apart from a lot of the ones I've read lately.
On a negative note, I think that this book could have been more engaging. It was a little hard to get into, and I only actually finished this on my second attempt. These issues did diminish as the book went on, but it was a slow beginning for such a short book. I was also disappointed that right at the very end, we're talking 95% in, some plot twists were thrown in and weren't resolved by the end, with no sequel being confirmed. It felt unnecessary and inconsistent.
On the whole though, I'm impressed with this for a debut author and will check out more of Burge's work.
December 31, 2018
Visit the settings in the book
I do love a book about Norway and legends so this fitted the bill perfectly. It’s a YA title and I often find so many hidden gems in this category which introduce the reader to legends, mysteries and more. This one was particularly chilling though and even if I’m *slightly* older than the target audience *cough* , it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!
The landscape and mythology make this novel. So does the writing and the peppering of Norwegian phrases throughout. It ticked all the boxes in one go!
It was the way the mysterious side of the story linked to the legends and the ghostly aspects which really made the book sing for me. The story of a girl who can tell things about a person just by touching their clothes made me shiver from the get go. Once this girl Martha gets to her grandmother’s cabin in the woods, I was on edge!
I was SO impressed this was a debut and that when I chatted with the author on TheBookTrail, she told me she’s never been to Norway! How to get the tone and setting this right without going is genius. Imagine where she will take us next!
Then the spinning wheel starts creaking, books move around and terror creeps in . .
It’s a brilliantly evocative read and I loved everything about it. The cover is one of my favourites of 2018 too.
October 11, 2018
I really enjoyed this. The atmosphere that was created was absolutely brilliant and had me on the edge of me seat. The pacing was not too or fast but just right and the suspense created added to the intrigue. The plotline was interesting and went in a direction which I didn't really expect but really enjoyed.
As for the characters- Martha was a well developed character who I couldn't help but like. Stig was an alright character for me. I liked but didn't love him and I'm a bit confused because I feel like there are some loose ends in the ending which weren't tied up/ wrapped up....neatly? enough for me. I just wanted a little bit more from the ending. It felt a little anticlimactic after everything that happened. (Also, this was a bit insta-lovey for me. )
Overall, this was a really good read and I would recommend.
As for the characters- Martha was a well developed character who I couldn't help but like. Stig was an alright character for me. I liked but didn't love him and I'm a bit confused because I feel like there are some loose ends in the ending which weren't tied up/ wrapped up....neatly? enough for me. I just wanted a little bit more from the ending. It felt a little anticlimactic after everything that happened. (Also, this was a bit insta-lovey for me. )
Overall, this was a really good read and I would recommend.
October 7, 2018
Flew through this in one evening - totally gripped. I'm a grown woman but found myself having to take breaks and turn the light on when things got really spooky! Loved it's simplicity - even when new ideas and layers were introduced it wasn't done in an overly-complex way that detracts from the plot, which I find a lot of supernatural / fantasy stories do.
Only gripe is that the ending obviously leads on to a sequel, so doesn't tie up the loose ends and felt a little rushed / like it shouldn't have finished where it did. This is obviously fine for a sequel, but I enjoyed it for its mystery and scary bits, so now the source of the strange goings on has been revealed, I'm not sure a sequel would be scary enough to hook me like this one did.
Only gripe is that the ending obviously leads on to a sequel, so doesn't tie up the loose ends and felt a little rushed / like it shouldn't have finished where it did. This is obviously fine for a sequel, but I enjoyed it for its mystery and scary bits, so now the source of the strange goings on has been revealed, I'm not sure a sequel would be scary enough to hook me like this one did.
August 17, 2018
This was a NetGalley book that I was approved for. As with previous books, I was given a digital review copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review.
So this one hsowed up on the newly added section of NetGalley last week and I was intrigued. The cover looked similar to the Frances Hardinge books that I keep seeing everywhere:
The Twisted Tree combines Nordic Mythology, a contemporary setting and a ghost story together in what is a twisted tale that involves romance, secrets and lies, the underworld and a remote island in Norway!
We meet Martha who is desperately unhappy after an accident left her blind in one eye and with a scar on her face. A bizarre result of this accident was that she can ‘read’ people from touching their clothes. She can sense feelings and memories and see a part of them when she connects with their clothes.
She believes her Grandmother will be able to help her understand what’s happening to her and she packs a bag and heads to a remote island in Norway to visit her. After an interesting journey Martha arrives on the Island to find a strange boy living in her grandmother’s cabin. After the strange boy tells her that Mormor is dead and she’s missed the funeral things get even more peculiar.
I’m not going to tell you much more at this point as there is no way to tell you more without being a completely spoilers based review
The Positives:
• The mythology. For me this is one of the aspects of this story that made it stand out to me. I really enjoyed once we got into the actual mythology and the way the story was intertwined with it I felt like the story really took off and came into its own. The way of intertwining the mythology with the ghost story aspect makes this book stand out.
• The fact that this is a debut novel. I know that’s not really a positive about the book itself but I feel like this author has a real point of view and it excites me that there could be more to come.
• The writing style- This is linked to both of the above points. The way that the author pulls all of this together is done in such a natural way that it really draws you in
• The use of the Norwegian language. The way that it became natural in the story to have so many mentions of words and phrases was so well written. I actually feel like I learned something!
• THIS WOULD MAKE SUCH A GOOD FILM!!
• Stig and Martha – I really liked both of these characters, I felt like the author went outside the box for them. They were different, unique, had an interesting story and it was nice to see someone who was slightly alternative without being ‘OMG THEY ARE A GOTH’
The Negatives
• Mormor – I just wish we had seen more of her. Without making this a spoilers review, for someone who is so key to the story I didn’t feel like I got much of an idea of who she was, her own personality and just her.
• The pacing – while I really enjoyed this book I did feel like the scene setting and getting Martha to the Island and getting to the cabin and essentially the story itself took too long. The ‘events’ of the story then felt rushed a little bit.
• Events that added little to the story – there were a few things that felt a bit ‘non-eventy’ to me that dragged out that first portion of the story and kinda added to the bit above ^^^
• The fact that its YA. Okay so this isn’t *really* a negative but more of a ‘God damn I wish…’ from me. I would LOVE to see this story written as an adult story with even more spookiness and more in depth psychological aspects to it
Overall this was a 3.5 out of 5 for me. I enjoyed it and would absolutely read something else by the same author. I found it an engaging read and something slightly different for me. I’d recommend this if you want to get away from fantasy while still having some fantastical elements to it.
I've rounded up to a 4 for Good Reads as it was a positive 3.5
https://readinglife342128355.wordpres...
So this one hsowed up on the newly added section of NetGalley last week and I was intrigued. The cover looked similar to the Frances Hardinge books that I keep seeing everywhere:
The Twisted Tree combines Nordic Mythology, a contemporary setting and a ghost story together in what is a twisted tale that involves romance, secrets and lies, the underworld and a remote island in Norway!
We meet Martha who is desperately unhappy after an accident left her blind in one eye and with a scar on her face. A bizarre result of this accident was that she can ‘read’ people from touching their clothes. She can sense feelings and memories and see a part of them when she connects with their clothes.
She believes her Grandmother will be able to help her understand what’s happening to her and she packs a bag and heads to a remote island in Norway to visit her. After an interesting journey Martha arrives on the Island to find a strange boy living in her grandmother’s cabin. After the strange boy tells her that Mormor is dead and she’s missed the funeral things get even more peculiar.
I’m not going to tell you much more at this point as there is no way to tell you more without being a completely spoilers based review
The Positives:
• The mythology. For me this is one of the aspects of this story that made it stand out to me. I really enjoyed once we got into the actual mythology and the way the story was intertwined with it I felt like the story really took off and came into its own. The way of intertwining the mythology with the ghost story aspect makes this book stand out.
• The fact that this is a debut novel. I know that’s not really a positive about the book itself but I feel like this author has a real point of view and it excites me that there could be more to come.
• The writing style- This is linked to both of the above points. The way that the author pulls all of this together is done in such a natural way that it really draws you in
• The use of the Norwegian language. The way that it became natural in the story to have so many mentions of words and phrases was so well written. I actually feel like I learned something!
• THIS WOULD MAKE SUCH A GOOD FILM!!
• Stig and Martha – I really liked both of these characters, I felt like the author went outside the box for them. They were different, unique, had an interesting story and it was nice to see someone who was slightly alternative without being ‘OMG THEY ARE A GOTH’
The Negatives
• Mormor – I just wish we had seen more of her. Without making this a spoilers review, for someone who is so key to the story I didn’t feel like I got much of an idea of who she was, her own personality and just her.
• The pacing – while I really enjoyed this book I did feel like the scene setting and getting Martha to the Island and getting to the cabin and essentially the story itself took too long. The ‘events’ of the story then felt rushed a little bit.
• Events that added little to the story – there were a few things that felt a bit ‘non-eventy’ to me that dragged out that first portion of the story and kinda added to the bit above ^^^
• The fact that its YA. Okay so this isn’t *really* a negative but more of a ‘God damn I wish…’ from me. I would LOVE to see this story written as an adult story with even more spookiness and more in depth psychological aspects to it
Overall this was a 3.5 out of 5 for me. I enjoyed it and would absolutely read something else by the same author. I found it an engaging read and something slightly different for me. I’d recommend this if you want to get away from fantasy while still having some fantastical elements to it.
I've rounded up to a 4 for Good Reads as it was a positive 3.5
https://readinglife342128355.wordpres...
September 23, 2018
This is the first novel by Rachel Burge that I have read and am pleasantly surprised to find she has exceeded my expectations by a mile!
The Twisted Tree is a modern fairytale about an English girl from a Norwegian family who can see things that others can’t, and can read people and their emotions from touching their clothes. She is not an obvious heroine.
She travels to Norway to get advice from her Grandmother and finds things not as she expects.
The book is well written and the plot progresses at a good pace keeping your attention and wanting to read just one more chapter! This should appeal to a wide audience, not only the Young Adults for which it was intended. It is an entertaining read.
The Twisted Tree is a modern fairytale about an English girl from a Norwegian family who can see things that others can’t, and can read people and their emotions from touching their clothes. She is not an obvious heroine.
She travels to Norway to get advice from her Grandmother and finds things not as she expects.
The book is well written and the plot progresses at a good pace keeping your attention and wanting to read just one more chapter! This should appeal to a wide audience, not only the Young Adults for which it was intended. It is an entertaining read.
August 17, 2018
The Twisted Tree is a ghost story with a difference and I absolutely raced through it. It's a unique and compelling combination; likeable distinctive teen characters with strong emotional journeys, a remote and atmospheric nordic noir style setting, a sinister plot as labyrinthine as the tree around which it is based, and a strong dose of fascinating norse mythology. Also - the antagonist is truly terrifying!
January 15, 2019
I received this arcs which I requested from NetGalley, so thank you!!
This novel is incredibly atmospheric, it’s a perfect book to read on a rainy fall, winter or just grey day. The main character Martha begins the story on her way to see her grandmother who may be able to help with some changes that have happened to her ever since a freak accident left her blind in one eye. This books combines Norse myths, paranormal beings, monsters and romance in a way that just pulls you in and takes you to the cabin. It is an incredibly interesting book with some very mysterious characters and lots of twists and turns.
I’m really hoping there is going to be a sequel as there are a few unanswered questions and some which were raised right at the end!
I can’t wait until it comes out, I can read it again and give a full review!
This novel is incredibly atmospheric, it’s a perfect book to read on a rainy fall, winter or just grey day. The main character Martha begins the story on her way to see her grandmother who may be able to help with some changes that have happened to her ever since a freak accident left her blind in one eye. This books combines Norse myths, paranormal beings, monsters and romance in a way that just pulls you in and takes you to the cabin. It is an incredibly interesting book with some very mysterious characters and lots of twists and turns.
I’m really hoping there is going to be a sequel as there are a few unanswered questions and some which were raised right at the end!
I can’t wait until it comes out, I can read it again and give a full review!
October 16, 2018
Spooky,chilling, page turner 👻❄️
Loved this book from the first pages. Martha’s character is deftly introduced through her journey to the island, as are her unique skills. The pages ooze atmosphere and foreboding ... shadowy presences, things caught out of the corner of your eye. Not many books I’ve read manage to maintain a high level of suspense throughout, but this does, even throwing in the odd jump scare ( look out for the ball of wool!) The only thing I would change is finding out the full truth about Stig, but there are so many positive’s it’s hardly a dealbreaker (see Hel’s advice on life to Martha 😱)The Twisted Tree is an intricate mixture of mythologies and ghostly goings on that beg for a stormy night, some hot choccy and a warm fire. Looking forward to more from Rachel Burge!
Loved this book from the first pages. Martha’s character is deftly introduced through her journey to the island, as are her unique skills. The pages ooze atmosphere and foreboding ... shadowy presences, things caught out of the corner of your eye. Not many books I’ve read manage to maintain a high level of suspense throughout, but this does, even throwing in the odd jump scare ( look out for the ball of wool!) The only thing I would change is finding out the full truth about Stig, but there are so many positive’s it’s hardly a dealbreaker (see Hel’s advice on life to Martha 😱)The Twisted Tree is an intricate mixture of mythologies and ghostly goings on that beg for a stormy night, some hot choccy and a warm fire. Looking forward to more from Rachel Burge!
September 15, 2018
So I received a free Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Well what can I say?! This book was so good! Such an eerie creepy atmosphere.
Martha is a very interesting protagonist and the locations in this book were so cool to read about.
I love the magical and supenatural element to the story.
This reminds me of Coraline, which to me is awesome as Coraline is one of my all time favourite books.
Judging by how this books ends it looks like there will be a sequel, I really hope there is!
Perfect for this time of year, so dark and atmospheric, I loved it! 😀
Well what can I say?! This book was so good! Such an eerie creepy atmosphere.
Martha is a very interesting protagonist and the locations in this book were so cool to read about.
I love the magical and supenatural element to the story.
This reminds me of Coraline, which to me is awesome as Coraline is one of my all time favourite books.
Judging by how this books ends it looks like there will be a sequel, I really hope there is!
Perfect for this time of year, so dark and atmospheric, I loved it! 😀
September 9, 2018
Absolutely raced through this dark and twisted tale centred on Martha, now blind in one eye after an accident, and Stig, a boy she meets at her grandma’s house in Norway under unusual circumstances. The tension builds up brilliantly and I loved the Norwegian settings and dip into folklore and fantasy. The characters are well drawn and I genuinely felt sad to leave them behind. Can’t wait to see what Rachel writes next! Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
October 18, 2020
‘It’s time for me to write my own story.’
This was good! The first half I would have rated 5 stars, it read like a timeless story for all the ages (albeit pretty creepy). However in the second half it became much more concerned with teenaged issues and perspective. I shouldn’t mark it down for that- it is a YA story after all- but in terms of my enjoyment, it did bump me out of the story somewhat.
This was good! The first half I would have rated 5 stars, it read like a timeless story for all the ages (albeit pretty creepy). However in the second half it became much more concerned with teenaged issues and perspective. I shouldn’t mark it down for that- it is a YA story after all- but in terms of my enjoyment, it did bump me out of the story somewhat.
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